Former Wildcat Jaxson Robinson has a ton of potential, and could end up being a great pickup with his new NBA team.
When the Cleveland Cavaliers signed Robinson to an Exhibit 10 contract, they picked up a player who could end up playing a key role for them throughout his career.
Robinson took on more of an on-ball role with Kentucky. Although he played alongside ball dominant players like Lamont Butler and Amari Williams that took on primary facilitator duties in Lexington, Robinson shined as a ball-handler this past season — averaging 1.7 assists this year with the Wildcats.
That’s unlikely to be the case in Cleveland, as the Cavaliers currently are guard-heavy with players that take on that primary facilitator role. All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland both start for Cleveland and dominate possession, and the team recently traded for Lonzo Ball to take on that same role off the bench.
In theory, Ball would be an ideal mentor for a player like Robinson. They’re similar in height (both are 6’6″), although Robinson does have a longer wingspan (7′ to Ball’s 6’9″ wingspan).
However, given that the Cavaliers recently drafted Duke’s Tyrese Proctor, who has been starring for them thus far in Summer League ahead of Robinson, it’s unlikely that this will be the case long term. Proctor is likely to become that backup point guard, leaving Robinson without a clear role.
Where he could thrive is on the wing in more of an off-ball, 3 & D capacity. The Cavaliers do already have Max Strus and De’Andre Hunter on the wing, although they feature as spacing and bench scoring options, respectively.
Robinson could carve out a role as that defensive option. Given his wingspan and quickness, Robinson could feature as a versatile and switchable defender for Cleveland. He very much has that potential to be great defensively — it’s more so just something he needs to continue to develop.
He also improved every year as a shooter in college — including a career-high 37.6% in Cleveland. That continuation of his development from beyond the arc could earn him a spot as a permanent starter with the Cavaliers long-term — featuring as a version of Strus with added defensive and ball-handling capabilities.
Cleveland did sign Robinson to an Exhibit 10 contract, meaning he can be sent to their G League team. With that comes an expectation of development, as he’ll likely be sent there given that thus far in Summer League he has played a reserve role for the Cavaliers.
If he develops into his full potential — as a shooter, switchable defender, and combo guard — Cleveland could get a great pickup for their future core.